Former Trade Minister under the National Democratic Congress administration, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has voiced concerns over the ethical standards and principles of individuals taking up public appointments in Ghana.
His comments come amidst increasing calls for the dissolution of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Board.
His remarks were made during an interview on JoyNews, highlighting the lack of transparency and ethical standards in these appointments.
“Board members are selected in an arbitrary manner. The whole process of many Boards is not transparent and so it is not the proper representation. If an organisation is asked to nominate to sit on a board, they normally do not nominate the suitable, most qualified people to sit on that Board. It is funny all the funny things that influence it. So you can find a Board that is highly mismatched in terms of the skillset and the ethical standards of the individuals we have on the board,” Dr. Spio-Garbrah noted.
He further criticized the ethical integrity of public appointees, stating, “The problem with Ghana is that most of the people who take up public appointments are not principled. They are not ethically correct.”
Dr. Spio-Garbrah’s comments align with the demands of Organized Labour for the SSNIT Board’s dissolution. The call follows SSNIT’s controversial decision to sell a 60% stake in its hotels to Rock City Hotel, a company owned by Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong.
Kenneth Koomson, Deputy Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, has highlighted the fundamental issue, asserting that SSNIT’s primary function is to ensure social security for the population. He criticized the transaction process, stating, “The leadership of Organised Labour found the transaction process deeply flawed.”
The call for the dissolution of the SSNIT Board underscores broader concerns about transparency and ethical governance in Ghana’s public sector appointments. Dr. Spio-Garbrah’s remarks amplify the need for a more principled and ethically sound approach to public service, reflecting a growing demand for accountability and integrity in the management of public institutions.